DA rejects rating overturn of Inxeba (The Wound)

Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday, rejected the Film and Publications Board's (FPB) Appeal Tribunal's report on the reasoning behind the decision to reclassify the film Inxeba to a rating of X18.

DA spokesperson Phumzile Van Damme said the FPB's reasoning was insufficient for giving Inxeba such a harsh rating and that the FPB could be assured that the decision would not go unchallenged.

"The DA is currently exploring our options to fight what is a violation of the Constitutional right of freedom of expression, including artistic creativity. The FPB's rating is nothing short of censorship."

Last week the FPB overturned their decision of rating Inxeba (The Wound) from 16SL to 18X, which was a rating given to pornographic films that could not be viewed at a cinema.

The report stated that: "The target market, which in our view is the 16-years-old's is not reasonable familiar with the practises of initiation schools as described by the appellants [and that] pre-exposure to such acts of sexual conduct is harmful and disturbing to this age group".

"The following classifiable elements were agreed to by classification committee, i.e language which is frequent and moderate to story. The violence is mild to moderate and fairly frequent. The nudity is low impact and infrequent. Sexual related activity inclusive of anal and oral sex were found to be mild to moderate impact and fairly frequent."

Van Damme said that the producers of the film had been brave in exploring daring and important themes and stories, that many others have been too afraid to explore.

"The DA commends their bravery and we will explore every option to ensure that every South African con watch Inxeba at cinemas across the country."